2014 End Of Year Book Survey

Each year, Jamie from the Perpetual Page Turner does a Year-End Book Survey. I’m a total sucker for surveys – so here is my own take from this year! (P.S. – if you don’t know about Jamie’s blog yet – GO there! It’s amazing!)

Number Of Books You Read: 58
Number of Re-Reads: 1Genre You Read The Most From: Hard to tell – probably a tie between YA and women’s fiction

Best Book You Read In 2014?

In my opinion, Sue Monk Kidd blew this away. This book is just perfect in so many ways – fascinating historical fiction, great characterization, excellent writing, good pacing. It’s perfection and she deserves all the praise!

Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

As a lover of women travel memoirs, I thought this was going to be a great read. I really didn’t like it though – it just fell flat.

Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014?

This book was surprising in a number of ways – one because Atwood is one of my favorite authors but I wasn’t 100% in love with the book (it took me FOREVER to get through) and two because of it’s shocking ending!

Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?

I didn’t have to push too hard – this book is well-known for being excellent (and it is!)

Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?

Outlander is still so incredibly fantastic. This isn’t the season ender (thank goodness!) but it’s going to be AGES before the next one comes out!

Favorite new author you discovered in 2014?

It’s a little hard to say that Alexandra is a favorite author since I’ve only read one book,but this one was incredible and I am absolutely going to try another one from her ASAP.

Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

This is definitely a newer genre for me – in truth I don’t know if I’ve ever read a crime thriller. I had some issues with this first book in the series but I liked the second one much better.

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

Definitely “unputdownable” – I read this all in one sitting and was completely taken with it. Highly recommend.

Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

I love to re-read parts of series in preparation for the next one!

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?

Women in pretty dresses on the front of romance novels are always wonderful, but I find this one particularly gorgeous. Look at that color!

Most memorable character of 2014?

It’s not really fair to say just “character” – I think all the characters in this series are totally memorable. Very unique (as is the whole story) and it all works so well together. Karou is fantastic.

Most beautifully written book read in 2014?

I adore the way this story unfolds. I’m a sucker for any kind of novel that includes letters but I really enjoyed how this one left mystery throughout. The life was an unveiling – very well done!

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2014?

Okay, so I think “life-changing” is a bit heavy-handed but thought-provoking, certainly. There’s a lot to ponder about who are and aren’t the bad guys – and the ending through a wrench into everything. I found it fascinating (and really readable!)

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read?

This book has seriously been on the list forever. I am sad I waited so long, too, it’s an incredible story and I’d like to try more of Kingsolver’s books.

Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?

“I love you,” he whispered. “I hope you don’t mind.”

Okay, so I technically finished re-reading this in 2015 but I read 80% of it in 2014. I love how simple this line is and it totally works for the story. Ahhh, Touchstone!

Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2014?

I was really surprised to see that Fiery Cross was longer than the latest George R.R. Martin. It did not feel like it at all – I plowed through this installment so fast!

Book That Shocked You The Most

With any biography like this, there are things that will shock me, but maybe I was most shocked by how tame this one ended up being. I really felt like a lot of it was sugar-coated or glossed over.

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Cinder and the Captain ❤

Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

This was just a wonderful second installment – and it almost made the list for the book that shocked me the most!

Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

I read this book only because it was for my sci-fi book club and absolutely LOATHED it. Ugh!

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?

Graham was frickin’ adorable, even if the book overall was not. I wish we could have seen MORE of him. (If you know what I mean!)

Best 2014 debut you read?

I actually didn’t really read many/any debuts this year. It’s kind of a cop-out to call this a “debut” but it is, technically, her only publication.

Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

As many things as I don’t like about Martin’s writing, you certainly have to give him credit for world building.

Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Oh my goodness, this book is the definition of a fun read.

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?

Oh yes, this book has ALL the feels. Add in the fact that it’s based on fact and it’s impossible not to get misty-eyed.

Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Per what I said before, this is a book that can easily sweep you away if you let it.

Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Okay, so “crushing my soul” is a little dramatic, but I was really disappointed by this book. It had so much potential and it all just fell so flat.

Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?

It wasn’t so much the story that was unique, but the way in which it was written. Definitely a nice change of pace.

Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

It made me mad just because I really want to like Hemingway and I can’t do it. This book was a beast to get through and I definitely consider it a waste of my life to have trudged through it. That direct Spanish to English translation of dialogue is just horrible.

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?

I don’t buy a lot of YA books because I read them so quickly and this was always checked out at the library. I hope some of the popularity will go down and I can get my hands on it this year!

Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?

Oh man, I loved the first installment of this series and I can’t wait to listen to the next!

2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I actually don’t keep up much on debuts, but I saw Jamie’s review for this one and my interest is definitely piqued!

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?

Seriously. So excited.

One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?

Successfully have my baby in March! That’s pretty much the one life goal. It would be great to keep reading some books, too, but let’s be honest, I’ll have some other priorities. 🙂